Press Releases 05

Saltillo, Coahuila, October 6, 2005 — “The United States and Mexico share limited resources along the border, and we are committed to supporting the initiative shown by the state of Coahuila to protect those resources. The agreement being signed today builds on a long history of partnership between Mexico and the United States to protect our water and energy resources,” said U.S. Ambassador to Mexico Tony Garza today.

Along with Coahuila Governor, Enrique Martinez, Ambassador Garza witnessed the signing of a cooperation agreement to protect water and energy resources in the state. The signing partners were the Government of Coahuila, the North American Development Bank (NADBANK), and the Alliance to Save Energy.

The agreement will allow an evaluation of the potable water systems from several state regions, promoting the saving of water and electricity, as well as reducing the costs water supplying to municipalities and providing better services to the population.

Ambassador Garza also attended a presentation at the Saltillo Technological Institute on the achievements of the institute’s partnership with Lamar University and Texas A&M- Corpus Christi, supported by the U.S.-Mexico Training, Internships, Exchanges, and Scholarships Program (TIES). The Saltillo Technological Institute faculty and students developed an electrocoagulation process to treat polluted water.

TIES is a $50 million, eight-year collaborative program between the U.S. government, U.S. and Mexican educational institutions, and the private sector to advance the objective of the Partnership for Prosperity, a key initiative of Presidents Bush and Fox. The Embassy’s office of U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) in Mexico administers this program.

Before returning to Mexico City, Ambassador Garza visited the Cuatrocienegas protected area, where he commended the conservation efforts by the Mexican Commission of Natural Protected Areas (CONANP), the Government of Coahuila, Pronatura Noreste, Nature Conservancy, municipal authorities, farmers’ organizations and local citizens.

The U.S. Government has worked with Mexico in a partnership to improve the management and conservation of Mexico’s natural resources through the “Parks in Peril” program. Through the program, the U.S. government has invested over $14 million in Mexico over the past ten years to support CONANP and other local institutions, in favor of environmental conservation.

“On behalf of the U.S. Government, I would like to congratulate all of you who have been involved with the Parks in Peril Program, and with Cuatrocienegas in particular, for your efforts to improve the management and protection of Mexico’s incredible natural resources and this beautiful spot,” the Ambassador said.

* * * * *